27/4/2000
Today, it has been raining cats and dogs since dawn. It is 9:00 am now, but the rain does not seem to let up or stop.

26/4/2000
Myanmar Lottery is still gaining popularity. Recentry, some famous movie stars such as Kyaw Hein, Yan Aung and Myo Thandar Tun are supposed to provide the capital to establish Myanmar Lottery sales centers to win public's favour.

25/4/2000
Recently, a new teashop opened near our office. They deliver food without extra charge anytime we make order by phone. So it is becoming convenient in Yangon.

24/4/2000
It has been raining heavily since this afternoon. We could see scene of selling ripe mangoes in downtown.

24/4/2000
We can see the scene of selling a mango in downtown.

22/4/2000
Recently, we could see the scene of doing the cleaning at somewhere in the city opening underground holes removing mud. Whenever the rainy season comes, we can see heaps of mud.

21/4/2000
Coming Sunday is Easter. Many Myanmar Christians take holidays to go Nyaung Lay Bin for prayers. There is a famous. church. ant it takes go minutes from Yangon by car.

20/4/2000
The movie "Mauk Mu Paing Shin" which been on at the theatres form 16 April, is full of movie-goers everyday. The actors Dwe, Lwin Moe and the actresses Htet Htet Moe Oo, Tun Eindra Bo starred in this movie. The director is U San Aung who passed away on 13 Apr. This movie was refilmed the original was released 35 years ago and it was very successful.

17/4/2000
U San Aung, a famous director, passed away of cancer on 13 April. He was one of leading CM directors and made Htet Htet Moe Oo, CM queen, famous. His movie is now on at the Yangon Theaters. He died at the age of 41.

16/4/2000
It is very quiet in Yangon, because today is New Year day and most of shops are closed.

15/4/2000
Today is the last day of Thingyan. Although it is 19:00pm now, they are still throwing water over one another in front of our office building.

14/4/2000
Now, I (Nishigaki) came back Yangon from Chaungtha Beach, which was crowded with more than 10,000 people. I will report it in detail later. Thingyan is celebrated everywhere in Yangon and Pathein. Although I went to Chaungtha by highway bus, inside the bus was wet because we were splashed on the way.

Chaungtha Beach

11/4/2000 - No.2
The market, 1st floor of our office building, is full of shoppers because there will be 5 long holidays from tomorrow.

11/4/2000 - No.1
Thingyan will start from tomorrow. Our office will be closed during Thingyan from 12 to 16. I am going to Chaungtha Beach, and I will be back on 15th April. I will report latest Thingyan into in Yangon and Chaungtha beach on 15th April.

10/4/2000
Two days to Thingyan. A stage is being set up in front of our office building.

9/4/2000
According to official papers, uncensored tapes, VCDs and CDs. out of place in Myanmar culture worth K 90 million (14, 305 video tapes, 21 laser disks, 35, 132 VCDs and 1,065 decadent fashions) being destroyed on 7 April.

8/4/2000
There was a live show of "Zaw Win Htut", Myanmar's most popular rock singer in Myakyunthar Park. Entrance fee was 1500 Kyats per person and the show lasted for about 2 and half hours. Almost all the songs were sung together with the audiences, just like the Eve of the water festival, all of the audiences were getting into full swing and poured water over one another to welcome the final of the show.

Live show of "Zaw Win Htut"

6/4/2000
Japanese rice cracker, Ve Ve cookie, is an sale in Yangon. Price is K 145 for 8 pcs (2pcs x 8 sac).

5/4/2000
Everything is all set for Thingyan in Yangon. Stages seem fewer than usual. Many shops will be closed during Thingyan (12-16).

Stage at the front of YCDC.

4/4/2000
Thingyan (Water Festival) Special Train will run from Yangon to Mandalay and from Mandalay to Yangon during Thingyan holidays beginning 5 April for public convenience. The train will leave Yangon at 4pm and reach Mandalay at 6:30am the following day, and will leave Mandalay at 2:30pm and reach Yangon at 4:45am the next day. The train will leave Yangon on alternate days from 5-19/APR and it will leave Mandalay from 6-20/APR on alternate days. The train will stop at Bago, Toungoo, Pyinmana, and Thazi station.

3/4/2000
Government employees will get arise from this April. For example, 600 kyats for monthly salary increase to K 3000, from K 1100 to K 4800, K 2125 to K 10000. and K 2500 to K 1500. The government might fear the prices to go up. Today's official paper carried an article that expressed the price of rice would not go up.